Do you believe that it got down to 50 degrees last night? I thought Jim would freeze for sure! We had a short travel day today. We are in Alabama at a RPI park called Wilderness RV Park in Robertsdale, Alabama. After we got set up we drove to Fairhope, Alabama to look around town. Fairhope is just off the shore of Mobile Bay. It is a beautiful area. We walked around the Municipal Pier and browsed the shops and had a late lunch at Wintzells Oyster House.

When Pete finished all his treatments, got some strength back, we took off for somewhat warmer climates and to visit family. We left our RV in Kentucky since Pete was not up to driving it yet, packed our bags and took off in our Honda CRV.
Our first destination was Fairhope, AL to Spike and Claire's. Spike, my brother, recently had major foot surgery and was mostly recovering. He did use his Silver Steed or crutches to get out to his studio or office every day or so to work on his wooden vessels.
Soleil likes it there because of the...

Driving has always been enjoyable for me. From the time I learned on my cousin’s farm in Southeastern Missouri, to traveling today, it’s always been helpful to follow my father’s advice (passed on from his father): “The job is simple, whether on a mountain highway winding over sheer drop-offs or through the vast straight level prairies of the midwestern plains, just keep on the road and in your lane!” Usually not too difficult, though sometime it is a bit nerve-wracking as when guiding a motorhome through the construction zones of...

Next stop, we pulled into Spike, my older brother, and Claire's in Fairhope. Pete backed our big rig into their driveway beside their house so we could hook up to electricity and water. We usually have to trim a few branches from overhanging trees and we did this time also. The set-up is perfect and we're only steps from their side door.
We were mainly in Fairhope for our niece Lily's wedding, but came early to have time with Spike and Claire and to help with last minute wedding stuff, if needed.
Hanging out is very comfortable for us -...

We bid farewell to Topsail and headed West.....100 miles to LA......Lower Alabama! We parked at the Escapees Rainbow Plantation near Fairhope, AL. Escapees is a club founded to give RVers.....most fulltimers.....a club for those with common interest. In the past we have stayed at some of their affiliate commericial campgrounds who offer up to 50% discounts on their rates but this was our first stay in an Escapees campground. The season at Rainbow Plantation is the winter....so the campground was not real busy. They also lease sites and sale...

The drive to Fairhope was uneventful, sometimes the best way to go. We backed into Spike and Claire's driveway after unhooking our toad. Perfect fit. Pete is getting to be a backing whiz, but then perhaps it's the Backup Director who makes it so easy. We stayed inside in the visitor wing of their home, in "our" room. The three bedrooms in the wing had been repainted and spruced up after a huge tree fell on the roof and into the attic, ruining the ceilings.
Just to remind all, Spike is my older bro and Claire, my sister-in-law. Our...

There are some fun little towns on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, with some equally fun back roads through the countryside that are great to traverse on the motorcycle. A couple times we rode out and explored roadways we'd never been on before - we went over little rivers, past bays and inlets, saw lots of nice boat houses on the rivers and both small and large homes in the countryside. I liked the pecan groves we rode by too, and I always enjoy seeing grazing horses in their pastures. I didn't get to take many photos from the back of the...

Well we are finally on the road again after almost two years. Lee still has pain in his shoulder and has not regained total use of his shoulder. He is able to drive the truck but can't turn the wheel to the left without difficulty. I went through a bout of anemia which had me pretty much incapacitated for several weeks. After a week of iron infusion my red blood cell count improved and the Hematologist said I could make this trip. The trailer was filthy and I cleaned every nook and cranny. It took a week and a half because I couldn't work...

Greetings Friends and Family,
We left The Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area RV-Campground in Pensacola Friday, April 8, and spent our last weekend in Fairhope, AL with Spike and Claire. Blue Angel has been our home since January 20, the day before Pete had rotator cuff surgery at the Naval Hospital. We fell into a lovely easy routine; hence not much to write about. Pete was under the doc's care and in physical therapy three days a week since his surgery. Last week he was cleared for travel and many activities. He is doing excellently and is...

Did you know that Mardi Gras celebrations did not begin in New Orleans? I always thought they did, but learned here last year that the first city on the Gulf Coast to celebrate Mardi Ggras was Mobile. During the early 19th century, several Krewes began holding parades and balls; the custom spread and now Mardi Gras celebrations are held all over the Gulf Coast and also inland. Ending on Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras parades and balls used to serve as a last “fling” before the abstinence of Lent, but now they are just for fun and no longer are...

Fairhope is a very pretty town in Baldwin County, Alabama; located on a sloping plateau, along the cliffs and shoreline of Mobile Bay, Fairhope is home to lots of little boutiques and shops. It is unusual in that Fairhope was founded in 1894 on the site of former Alabama City as a utopian single tax colony by the "Fairhope Industrial Association." The map of the town explains that "In forming their demonstration project, they pooled their funds to purchase land at "Stapleton's pasture" on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and then divided it...

Happy New Year! "Make 2011 an excellent year", that's what I'm going for. It's started off much like last year, which is an fine way to begin since 2010 ended in a good way and place for me. I certainly missed my Vermont friends over the holidays and was thrilled to hear from so many from there and elsewhere. Keeping in touch! With so many ways to do it, I vow to do so. A resolution? I'm not one for making resolutions, yet will go for this.
The time with Claire and Spike continues to go well, with Willie parked in their driveway, mostly...